Los Angeles: Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has joined the cast of "Gotham", the Batman prequel series, slated to go on air in the fall.

The 42-year-old will play villainous gangster Fish Mooney in the one hour drama, reports nydailynews.com.

"Gotham" takes place in the years before the Batman first donned the cape and cowl. The series focuses on the back stories of future Police Commissioner James Gordon and some notable villains.

Actor Ben McKenzie has been cast as Gordon, Sean Pertwee is on board as Wayne Manor butler Alfred Pennyworth and Robin Lord Taylor is signed on to play Oswald Cobblepot - better known to fans as the nefarious Penguin.